Ad Astrorum
“In the introduction to the judgment of the stars, Dariot presents questionnaire themes with simplicity. Each area of life is reviewed. Among the treasures contained in this text, the discovery of the true ruler of a house (its almuten) is not the least.”
In his work Ad Astrorum judicia facilis introductio first published in Lyon in 1557, Claude Dariot (1533–1594) blurs the boundaries between science and magic by discussing the effects of the movements of the planets and stars on certain illnesses and expressing his belief in astrologically favorable days for the preparation of remedies and for carrying out certain surgical procedures.
The precious and beautiful Harrison D. Horblit copy with bookplate, in contemporary vellum, complete with its volvelles.
In-4 of [6] - 120 pages, flexible vellum. Contemporary binding.
Collation: a-q4 (q4 blank); 64 leaves. Complete.
Pesnot’s salamander device (Baudrier, no. 7) on the title-page. Eight woodcut astrological diagrams, 3 7/16’’ square to 5 3/8 x 5 1/8”. Three of these are volvelles, the first with two movable parts, the others with one each. Tables. Foliated initials with birds, putti, and grotesques, a few criblé initials, and one large M with figures. Most of the foliated blocks are signed with an “H” in white. Roman letter.
222 x 145 mm.
Dariot, Claude. Ad Astrorum iudicia facilis introductio authored by Claude Dariot of Pomercens, physician and mathematician.
Lyon, Maurice Roy & Louis Pesnot, 1557.
First edition.
Baudrier VI, 308 ; Cioranescu 7400 ; Nat. Libr. of Med. 1098. Waller 12037 ; Thorndike VI, 105 ; Gardner 255 ; Harvard-Hofer 165 ; Mortimer no. 165. Not in Adams nor in Wellcome.
A French version, Lintroduction av ivgement des astres, was printed by Nicolas Édoard for Roy and Pesnot in 1558. The work appeared as A breefe and most easie introduction to the astrologicall iudgement of the starres in an English translation by Fabian Wither, London, Thomas Purfoot, ca.1583 (S.T.C. 6275 ; HCL S.T.C. 6276 1598 edition). Dariot, a physician at Beaune, published a translation of Paracelsus, La grand chirvrgie, in 1589 (Lyons, for Antoine de Harsy ; HCL).
Rare first edition, complete with the 3 volvelles and their loose parts.
Claude Dariot (1533-1594), a physicist born in Beaune, set out the general principles of astrology and the rules of solar astrology, including the influence of the planets on daily terrestrial events. His treatise contains innovative ideas for the time: Dariot added to the traditional four elements (Water, Air, Fire, Earth), the three alchemical principles (Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt). According to him, these three principles form the basis of all beings. At the time of printing, the book had a sheet with instructions for mounting the volvelles and another with the uncut moving parts; in this copy, the instructions have fortunately been preserved and glued to the bottom of page 11 with the three scrolls mounted and functional.
Extremely rare first edition, complete with the 3 volvelles and their moving parts.
Claude Dariot (1533-1594), a physician born in Beaune, set out the general principles of astrology and the rules of solar astrology with the influence of the planets on daily earthly events. At the time of printing, the book had a sheet with the instructions for assembling the volvelles and another with the uncut moving parts; in this copy the instructions have been fortunately preserved and glued at the bottom of page 11 with the 3 volvelles assembled and working.
Ex-libris Harrison D. Horblit.
